LGBT-Owned San Francisco-Based Wine Label Focuses on Small Production, Low Intervention Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (January 23, 2024) – With the release of its debut vintage in 2023, VOON is a new, LGBT-owned wine label focusing on low-intervention, small-production wines and a whimsical aesthetic. Founded in San Francisco by Evan Anderson, the label’s inaugural Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are farmed organically in the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills of California’s Central Coast, known for world-class, balanced and expressive wines.
As a young entrepreneur and wine afficionado, Anderson’s vision for VOON materialized as a response to the challenges of the pandemic, evolving from a passion project into a trailblazing label that challenges conventions in the wine industry and aspires to expand wine’s appeal to a more diverse audience. After starting his pursuit of wine through an academic lens, enrolling in UC Davis’ wine certification program, Anderson realized that he could learn the nuances of winemaking better by doing. He put his studies on hold and founded VOON, immersing himself in every aspect of winemaking while diving into the challenge of building a boutique luxury wine label from the ground up.
VOON thrives on the intersectionality of experience, challenging historical norms of the wine industry. Anderson’s zeal for exploration and quality craftsmanship leads VOON on a mission to create a space that transcends traditional expectations of what a wine label should look like. As one of the few gay-owned wine labels in California, Anderson aims to champion diverse voices that are often underrepresented in the world of wine. VOON creates an inclusive space that invites a broad audience to explore, savor, and connect through unexpected and delightful experiences with incredible wines.
Anderson’s commitment to craftsmanship, artistry, intention, and authentic winemaking shapes every aspect of VOON. In working with celebrated Latina winemaker Jessica Gasca to produce the inaugural Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, VOON reinforces its commitment to craftsmanship and environmental stewardship. Outside of her work at VOON, Gasca is well-known for her wine label, Story of Soil, which has garnered attention for her minimalist focus on the nuances of single-vineyard sites in California’s Central Coast.
All VOON wines showcase low-intervention practices that highlight the delicate complexity typical of the Sta. Rita Hills; grapes are sourced from organic vineyards, which are hand-picked and hand-sorted. Native yeasts, neutral oak, and minimal sulfur additions underscore the label’s dedication to purity, allowing the true essence of each vineyard to shine through.
“2024 marks a thrilling chapter for VOON – the first full year our wines are available publicly,” says Anderson. “As we prepare to release our second vintage, I find myself reflecting on the decision to craft our first wines from the Sta. Rita Hills. The region holds a special place in my heart not only for its beautiful, cool-climate wines, but also the incredible spirit of community and collaboration that drew me in – a rising tide lifting all ships.”
VOON’s long-term vision involves introducing wine drinkers to the unsung heroes of grapes and regions often overlooked in the mainstream. In 2024, VOON will unveil a special edition Pinot Noir, a Grüner Veltliner, and a single vineyard Grenache, all grown in the Sta. Rita Hills, showcasing the label’s commitment to exploration and discovery.
About VOON
Founded by Evan Anderson in 2022, VOON is a San Francisco-based wine label specializing in low intervention, small-production wine; the first vintages focus on the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA on California’s Central Coast. As one of the only gay-owned wine labels in San Francisco, VOON wines thrive on the intersectionality of experience, challenging the historical molds of the wine industry. VOON’s meticulously made inaugural wines showcase the delicate complexity typical of the Sta. Rita Hills and are complemented by innovative, whimsical artwork displayed on each label. VOON’s debut wines are the 2021 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir ($68) and the 2022 Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay ($58); a Grenache and a Gruner Veltliner, in addition to new vintages of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are forthcoming in 2024. For more information about VOON or to purchase their wines, please visit voonwines.com.
